[[quoteright:344:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/John-Laurinaitis41_2150.jpg]][[caption-width-right:344:[[BlatantLies People Power!]]]]

John Joseph Laurinaitis (born July 31, 1965) is a former wrestler under the name Johnny Ace. He wrestled mainly in Japan before his retirement, then became the head booker for Wrestling/{{WCW}}, replacing the outgoing Wrestling/VinceRusso. This job proved less-than-secure in 2001, so he jumped ship to WWE, first as an road agent, then became the Executive Vice President of Talent Relations until 2012. He also briefly served as GM of both [[Wrestling/WWERaw Raw]] and [[Wrestling/WWESmackDown SmackDown]].

He is a former 4x [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/alljapan/aj-t.html All Japan Pro Wrestling World Tag Team Champion]], holding the belts once with Wrestling/DrDeathSteveWilliams, twice with Wrestling/KentaKobashi and once with Mike Barton (formerly WWE's Bart Gunn), and a 2x [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/alljapan/asia-t.html All Japan Pro Wrestling All Asia Tag Team Champion]], holding the belts both times with Kobashi.

----!!Tropes associated with Mr. Excitement, John Laurinaitis includes:* AccidentalPublicConfession: Type 1. His VillainousBreakdown caused him to reveal his intent to screw Wrestling/CMPunk at the ''Royal Rumble''. The board of directors didn't like that very much.* ArchEnemy:** (As a member of the [[OldShame Dynamic Dudes]] with Shane Douglas): Wrestling/JimCornette and his tag team Wrestling/TheMidnightExpress** (In WWE): Teddy Long, Wrestling/CMPunk and Wrestling/JohnCena* AscendedExtra:** Started his on-screen career as a flagbearer for Wrestling/TheSheepherders.** Later went on to work in the offices of Wrestling/{{WCW}}.** Spent years in the background in WWE, until 2011 when Wrestling/CMPunk cut a promo where Laurinaitis was included. The he became the Raw and Smackdown GM. That is until he was "fired" by [[Wrestling/VinceMcMahon Vince [=McMahon=]]].* AuthorAppeal** He looked up Wrestling/KellyKelly and Wrestling/AliciaFox after seeing pictures of them in a fashion magazine and offered them developmental contracts. Neither one showed any interest at first but the magazine told them it would be a good idea. When you hear complaints about models getting hired, ''this'' is probably what is being referred to, not [[Wrestling/TrishStratus Trish]] or [[Wrestling/LisaMarieVaron Victoria]].** He also liked to hire wrestlers seeking to go to, or other heavily interested in the wrestling scene of Japan (Wrestling/MontelVontaviousPorter).* BadBoss: When accused of abusing students, [[Wrestling/HughMorrus Bill DeMott]] denied most allegations, but when evidence was presented which made this impossible, he in turn produced evidence that he was acting under Laurinaitis's instruction, leading to the end of his role as head of talent relations.* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor:** As Wrestling/JohnMorrison learned when he wanted Wrestling/TripleH removed from running ''Raw''.** Heck, EVERYONE that wanted change except the Heels probably feel this way.** ''Even'' some of the heels, since after Laurinaitis reached power, a lot of them were no longer given the backup he promised as they helped him up the ladder. Wrestling/TheMiz in particular was told he was only good as a personal suck up and that [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness he was on his own]] when he asked for something to be done about [[Wrestling/RonKillings R-Truth.]]*** JerkassHasAPoint: He also says that Miz only brought it on himself.* BerserkButton: He does ''not'' like having his voice being mocked. Wrestling/JohnCena and Wrestling/TheBigShow found this out the hard way. Also in real life, he almost fired Wrestling/StevieRichards until Wrestling/TommyDreamer told him that it was Stevie's real voice.* BigBadWannabe:** A painfully obvious {{expy}} of Vince [=McMahon=], he was pushed as the top heel on both RAW and Smackdown until WWE creative finally realized he came up short. No amount of kayfabe changes the fact that is Vince is the head of the company and renowned for his stage dynamism both in the U.S. and Europe, whereas Laurinaitis is just a confused middleman with nothing to differentiate him from previous [=GMs=] who behaved badly in the past (he isn't even the only one to have run two shows at the same time). And just like past [=GMs=] his job is constantly threatened when he "goes too far", with Laurinaitis [[KarmaHoudini barely managing to keep it]]. Just like previous heel [=GMs=] such as Wrestling/EricBischoff, he ends up getting fired.** After Over the Limit, he's even less intimidating, either hobbling around on crutches or zipping around on his [[Film/ItsAWonderfulLife Old Man Potter]] wheelchair. Shades of Wrestling/RicFlair!* BreakupBreakout: Played with. While Johnny Ace has found success as an executive and even became a prominent onscreen character (albeit, a really hated one, [[XPacHeat for all the wrong reasons]]), Wrestling/ShaneDouglas is far more well-known and more successful as a wrestler, though he's kinda hated too. It'd be safer to say that the Dynamic Dudes are just hated in general, even when they have long since left the gimmick behind.* ButtMonkey: Both on-screen and off. On-screen he is a butt of many jokes from Cena and especially CM Punk. Off-screen he is hated by many wrestlers who feel they were unfairly treated by him and by proponents of stronger women's wrestling.* CorruptCorporateExecutive: It's another boss heel, again in the style of the [=McMahons=]. Being as he is ''not'' a [=McMahon=], however, Laurinaitis was presented as little more than [[PretenderDiss a pale copy]]. Thank goodness Wrestling/PaulHeyman is just around the corner.* CrossThrough: WWE used to use American Combat Wrestling's facilities for its FCW training and developmental shows but pulled out when an ACW employee threatened to kick Laurinaitis's teeth in. This eventually lead to the development of NXT.* DisproportionateRetribution: Firing the Big Show for mocking his voice.* DullSurprise[=/=]NoSell: Gave absolutely no reaction when he was about to get the GTS from Wrestling/CMPunk. * EvilIsPetty: This is a guy who publicly humiliated an employee and forced him to beg for his job on national television only to fire the man anyway simply because said employee mocked his voice.* FanNickname: "John Laryngitis," in reference to his raspy, "dying man" voice. * FiveBadBand: Seemed to lead an informal one when running WWE TV under "People Power", although the actual number of members could be disputed.** BigBad: John Laurinaitis, of course.** TheDragon: Tensai, who overlapped with TheBrute as well.** TheEvilGenius: [[AmoralAttorney David Otunga]] fit this to a T - although he ''[[MilesGloriosus tried]] [[SmallNameBigEgo really]] [[ButtMonkey hard]]'' to be TheDragon.** TheBrute: ''Definitely'' Tensai, and possibly the pair of [[DreadlockRasta Tyler Reks]] [[ThoseTwoBadGuys and Curt Hawkins]], who were seen working security or 'muscle' jobs for Laurinaitis in recent months.** TheDarkChick: Wrestling/EveTorres.** SixthRangerTraitor: Wrestling/TheBigShow.* ForgotFlandersCouldDoThat[=/=]RetiredBadass:** Was actually a very good wrestler in his day. He helped invent the [[Wrestling/DiamondDallasPage Diamond Cutter]][=/=][[Wrestling/RandyOrton RKO]], the [[Wrestling/StoneColdSteveAustin Stunner]] and the [[Wrestling/BrockLesnar F-5]]. He was also in a match that Dave Meltzer gave 5 stars and won the ''Wrestling/TheWrestlingObserverNewsletter'' Match of the Year in 1996, which was [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/alljapan/aj-t.html All Japan Pro Wrestling World Tag Team Champions]] Wrestling/MitsuharuMisawa and Jun Akiyama defeating Ace and "Dr. Death" Steve Williams at AJPW Super Power Series 1996, Day 15, June 7, 1996. That was the same year as the Wrestling/ShawnMichaels[=/=]Wrestling/BretHart Iron Man match at ''Wrestling/{{WrestleMania}} XII''.** Although this turned out to be a moot point, as after so much hype (from the IWC, of all people) about him being the perfect, necessary choice for a heel authority figure -- because he could carry the show and also have actual matches against his opponents -- he's always booked into the same type of matches that all non-wrestling personalities have. It's almost as if WWE creative doesn't want anyone to equal or surpass Vince's image as a businessman who can still throw down.** He ''very'' briefly shows this ability in his match against Cena, [[CurbstompCushion and lays a few good moves]]. Otherwise however it was a one sided comedic beatdown which frankly would have embarrassed even Vince.* [[FullNameBasis Full Name and Title Basis]]: ''[[OverlyLongGag Always]]'' introduced himself this way.* FunWithAcronyms: His trio with Wrestling/KentaKobashi and [[Wrestling/DelWilkes the Patriot (Del Wilkes)]] in Japan: GET, which stood for '''G'''lobal '''E'''nergetic '''T'''ough.* GreenEyedMonster: As Punk pointed out during his psychological dismantling of Laurinaitis, the main reason why Johnny hates Punk so much is due to his lack of success with his own wrestling career. His brother is one of the legendary [[Wrestling/TheRoadWarriors Road Warriors]], his [[BreakupBreakout tag team partner]] was Wrestling/ShaneDouglas, one of ECW's perennial main event stars, and Wrestling/CMPunk, a guy who doesn't even fit the mold and wasn't made to succeed in the WWE, has achieved more in the last year than Johnny has ''his entire career''. While Johnny had the look, he was so bland that he had to trade in his tights for a suit to achieve any real success. Jealousy is therefore the main driving force behind his actions against Punk.* HesBack: He returned on the March 29th edition of Smackdown. But doing so in the middle of "Story Time with [[DwayneJohnson The Rock]]" probably wasn't one of his better ideas however, since it ended in a Rock Bottom and People's Elbow.* HiddenDepths: Apparently is a very creative agent (person who plans matches with wrestlers). You won't hear that from scores of wrestlers who don't like him though.* HoistByHisOwnPetard[=/=]NiceJobFixingItVillain** Made Wrestling/ZackRyder's Number One Contenders match with Wrestling/MarkHenry a No Disqualification Match. Wrestling/JohnCena takes full advantage to go on out and interfere in Zack's favor.** He challenged Wrestling/JohnCena to a match at ''Over The Limit'', clearly intending to fix the match in some way shape or form. Too bad that right as he was about to get into the specifics, the board of directors imposed ''very'' specific conditions of their own that cut him off at the pass. Oh, and if he lost, he'd be fired. ** After his AccidentalPublicConfession, the next week he proceeded to state that he did not regret what he did -- and the board of directors didn't like that, so they sent COO Wrestling/TripleH to evaluate him. The only reason why he didn't get fired was because of Wrestling/TheUndertaker.* HumiliationConga: Starting on the June 11th ''[[Wrestling/{{WWERaw}} Raw]]'', where [[Wrestling/VinceMcMahon Vince [=McMahon=]]] pretty much openly mocks him all night, along with Wrestling/{{Sheamus}}. It continues on ''[=SmackDown=]'', where John Cena knocked him out on his ass. It ultimately culminates at ''Wrestling/NoWayOut'', where Wrestling/BrodusClay holds him while Wrestling/JohnCena escapes the cage and seals Laurinaitis' fate. He's then promptly fired and put through the announce table by Wrestling/JohnCena. Finally, on the next RAW, he gets mocked by Wrestling/MickFoley, and has Wrestling/TheBigShow and David Otunga walk out on him since [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness he's no longer the boss and thus no longer useful to them]], leaving him to Wrestling/JohnCena, who, at the request of the fans, gives him ''three'' Attitude Adjustments and makes him tap out to the STF. Oh, and his favorite [[KickTheDog dog to kick]] Theodore Long watches this from ringside clapping and cheering.** TheBusCameBack: Returned on the March 29, 2013 ''[=SmackDown=]'' where he tried to convince [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson The Rock]] to let him be in the Rock's corner for his match against Cena at ''[=WrestleMania=]''. Rock promised that he wouldn't give Laurinaitis the Rock Bottom. They shook hands, followed by Rock hitting a Spinebuster and a People's Elbow.* {{Irony}}:** He ended his MotiveRant to Wrestling/MickFoley about how much he hated Wrestling/CMPunk and was planning on screwing Punk at the RoyalRumble...by blasting Foley in the head with the microphone, which is one of the distinctive things Punk has been known for doing.** Also, his firing of Wrestling/TheBigShow - a KickTheDog act that seemed almost ''certain'' to come back and bite him in this ass in the "swift karma" world of ProfessionalWrestling storylines - actually ended up working ''in his favor'', because he was able to convince Show (by offering him a new contract) to turn on Wrestling/JohnCena, which ended up ''saving his job.'' Likely also doubles as ManipulativeBastard.* '''JerkAss'''* KarmaHoudini:** Was in danger of losing his status as Interim General Manager before the 2012 Royal Rumble after publicly admitting that he intended to screw Wrestling/CMPunk out of the championship title, but he managed to convince the Board of Directors to give him another chance. Then he manages to take over both ''Raw'' and ''Smackdown'' and made Jerkass decisions as well as blackmailing Teddy Long. Then he decided to make Wrestling/BrockLesnar, a brute who enjoys beating people up, the top face of the company, even giving in to Lesnar's outrageous demands. And after losing his top face, he lashes out on a already-injured Wrestling/JohnCena. And despite all that, the Board of Directors still didn't take any action against him. Should be noted that, Wrestling/JohnCena had been approached by the Board of Directors about Laurinaitis' attack on him and told them not to do anything to him until after their match at ''Over the Limit''. Which they didn't. They just declared ''very'' specific rules for the match that cut off any possible attempts by Laurinaitis to fix the match and declared that if Cena beat him, Laurinaitis will be fired. Cena approved. Only for Laurinatis to win the match as a result of a FaceHeelTurn by Wrestling/TheBigShow and maintain his job as GM (albeit after a lengthy beatdown by Cena).** On the Raw before No Way Out 2012, Vince [=McMahon=] returns to do a evaluation on Laurinaitis. At the end of the night, Vince was about to fire him before the Big Show showed up. Vince then said that if Big Show loses at No Way Out, Laurinaitis will be fired. And with help with some friends, Show lost and Laurinatis was fired then and there Although, on the next Raw after No Way Out, he tries to get the last laugh on Cena by putting him in a three on one handicap match with himself, Wrestling/TheBigShow, and David Otunga. This backfires when in the end both walk out on him, since [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness he's no longer the boss and there's nothing to gain from helping him]], leaving him to Cena's wrath who, in the spirit of "People Power" answers the crowd's request and gives him ''three'' well deserved Attitude Adjustments before making him tap out to the STF.* ItsAllAboutMe: Despite his statement on "People Power", he's done nothing but do things for himself. Wrestling/JohnCena called him out on it in his TheReasonYouSuckSpeech.* KickTheDog:** In his first night as Interim General Manager, he fired Wrestling/JimRoss. After becoming GM of both Raw and Smackdown, he began bossing Teddy around in every [[CoolAndUnusualPunishment Cool and Unusual manner]] possible.** PetTheDog: Due to said FlameBait and the not so PG friendly responses he gives J.R a match with Wrestling/MichaelCole[[note]]A tag-team match but still[[/note]].** Kicks the dog again on the 10/5/2011 episode of ''Raw'' by giving Wrestling/JohnCena a SadisticChoice of either giving his good friend Wrestling/ZackRyder a US Title match or getting a World Title Match himself. When John decides to give Zack the match, Laurinaitis puts Ryder (already worn out from a match against Cena) up against Wrestling/MarkHenry to earn it.*** And that was after he forced the [[FightingYourFriend two to fight]] to be the number one contender for their respective titles.** Later, in January, he hit Mick Foley in the head with a mic after he and Punk pushed him too far.** The next week he forces Wrestling/ZackRyder into a falls count anywhere match with Wrestling/{{Kane}}.** On the 4/30/2012 episode of ''Raw'', he, along with Lord Tensai and Sakamoto, gangs up on a already-injured John Cena and then starts aiming for Cena's already injured arm.** After making Wrestling/TheBigShow beg and plead to not fire him, [[KickTheDog he turns around and fires him anyway]]. The smirk on his face as he fired Show, Show crying sadly...who could support Laurinaitis after that?*** This move was so horrific that it was considered an InUniverse KickTheDog by Wrestling/JerryLawler and Wrestling/JohnCena, and even Wrestling/MichaelCole, who had defended and supported ''everything'' he'd done before that, [[EvenEvilHasStandards didn't make a move to defend it, or Laurinaitis, the rest of the night.]]* LaserGuidedKarma:** After [[BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor betraying every superstar that helped him get where he was]], including basically telling Wrestling/TheMiz YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness, he finally gets a big dose of this when Wrestling/TheBigShow and David Otunga walk out on him...for no longer being able to help them since he was fired and no longer the boss, leaving him at the mercy of Wrestling/JohnCena. Wrestling/JohnCena then proceeds to give Mr. "People Power" three Attitude Adjustments at the request of the audience, while Laurinaitis' favorite victim, Theodore Long, cheers from ringside.** TheDogBitesBack: Otunga, Laurinaitis' thoroughly loyal [[TheDragon Dragon]][=/=][[TheEvilGenius Evil Genius]], made at least some effort as his tag team partner, taking most of the heat of the match due to the latter refusing to tag, supposedly due to his injuries. Laurinaitis finally tags in only when Cena is supposedly incapacitated, revealing his injuries are ''[[WoundedGazelleGambit completely fake]]'', leading a disgusted Otunga to walk out and leave him to face the match alone just as he made him.* MilesGloriosus: "I am better than [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson The Rock]] and Wrestling/BrockLesnar combined."* NotSoHarmlessVillain:** He was initially mocked by Wrestling/TripleH and Wrestling/JohnCena as an ineffectual yes man to Vince [=McMahon=] that would never get a say in how the business works. (What a stretch for Mr. Laurinaitis.) Shortly afterward, he started using backstage politics and intimation as weapons.** Used subtly in the ring. His match with John Cena was a predictable beatdown with Cena humiliating and torturing Laurinaitis in every manner possible. However for a brief moment, he actually gets the upper hand legitimately, laying damage to Cena's arm and handing a few nasty chair shots. He might have been able to keep this up if he hadn't toyed with Cena long enough for him to get a HeroicSecondWind.* OncePerEpisode: He will introduce himself with his [[labelnote:name and full title]][[OverusedRunningGag Executive Vice-President of Talent Relations and General Manager of Raw and Smackdown.]][[/labelnote]]* PhotoOpWithTheDog: He claims that his reason for his JerkAss decisions are because "That's what the people want", even going as far as calling his era "People Power" when his decisions are clearly for his sadistic pleasure.* PowerStable: The Team Players in OVW, which included [[Wrestling/MuhammadHassan Mark Magnus (Muhammad Hassan)]], Inspector Max Impact[[note]]Wrestling/{{WCW}}'s Horshu[=/=][=WWE=]'s Luther Reigns[[/note]], Brent Albright, Wrestling/RobConway, Wrestling/NickDinsmore, Matt Morgan and Chris Masters.* PutOnABus: After Big Show lost at ''No Way Out'' which had his job on the line as a stipulation[[note]]Cena's job was also on the line if he was the one to lose the match.[[/note]]** He actually lost his job as an Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and became a producer after his onscreen firing.* RejectedApology: He did this to The Big Show after demanding him to get down on his knees and apologize for making fun of his voice, and [[MoralEventHorizon then fires him on the spot]].* TheResenter: Resents CMPunk due to Punk's success and his own lack of. Johnny had the look going for him yet was so bland that he couldn't land a decent job in the states, while Punk, a guy who doesn't fit the mold and wasn't supposed to make it in the WWE, ended up achieving more in the last year than Johnny did his entire life. Johnny's so bitter about it that he made it his purpose in life to to make Punk's miserable.* RunningGag: He was usually seen testing on his cell phone backstage. [[TheUnreveal We never found out to who he did.]]* SadisticChoice:** Forced Wrestling/JohnCena to choose between giving his close friend Wrestling/ZackRyder a well deserved chance to earn a US Title Shot or getting a World Title Shot himself at TLC.** Forced one on Smackdown General Manager Theodore Long by threatening to put his girlfriend in a match against Kane if Long didn't lay down and let himself be pinned by Laurinaitis. [[TakeAThirdOption Long just lets Randy Orton take out Kane, then pins Laurinaitis.]]* SmugSnake: Wrestling/CMPunk also calls him this too.* TagTeam:** The Sheepherders** The Dynamic Dudes, with Shane Douglas** (in Japan): The Movement, with Mike Barton (formerly WWE's Bart Gunn)* TemptingFate: On the Smackdown before No Way Out 2012, John Laurinaitis lampshades his KarmaHoudini and was confident that he would keep his job after No Way Out. Guess what happens.* ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill: Written off TV after his Kayfabe firing via ''three'' [[FinishingMove Attitude Adjustments]] from Wrestling/JohnCena. Considering that it's basically pushed as the most powerful finishing move in pro wrestling.......* TyrantTakesTheHelm: Not at first, but has creeped up very slowly during his run as GM over both Raw and Smackdown.** PeoplesRepublicOfTyranny: "[[BlatantLies People Power]]" - which includes things like shoving your authority down everyone's throat, confiscating signs saying things you don't like, a PropagandaMachine insisting you're as popular as you're actually hated, constantly engaging in [[KickTheDog both injury and insult]], and overall reveling in humiliating employees and competitors for the [[DisproportionateRetribution slightest provocations]] or merely for being threats to your power - often either enslaving them in everything but name, [[DealWithTheDevil turning them]] into your cronies, or simply making their lives as miserable as you can.* VillainousBreakdown:** On the January 16, 2012 edition of ''Raw'', he gets two [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech "The Reason You Suck" Speeches]] in a row, the first from Wrestling/CMPunk and then from Wrestling/MickFoley, CM Punk psychologically dismantling him. Laurinaitis snaps and goes on a massive MotiveRant, finally admitting that he openly ''hates'' CM Punk and fully intends to screw him out of the title. ** And again on the 4/30/12 airing of ''Raw'', after losing his top face for the company, Wrestling/BrockLesnar, and being made fun of by Wrestling/JohnCena, he lashes out on Cena with the help of Lord Tensai and Sakamoto.** On the May 14, 2012 episode of ''Raw'', after his plan to rig his match with Wrestling/JohnCena in his favor was preemptively shot down by the Board of Directors who also declared that losing will result in him being fired, and receiving a TheReasonYouSuckSpeech from Cena, he snaps and slaps Cena in the face before storming off in a rage.* WrestlingFamily:** His brothers Joe (aka [[Wrestling/TheRoadWarriors Road Warrior Animal]]) and Marcus are also wrestlers.** His nephew James (Animal's son), who is 240 pounds of muscle and wouldn't have been terribly out of place in a WWE ring, [[UsefulNotes/CollegiateAmericanFootball went to Ohio State to play linebacker instead.]] [[UsefulNotes/AmericanFootball He now plays for the New Orleans Saints.]]** His fiancee's daughters are the Wrestling/BellaTwins... which will make one Wrestling/DanielBryan his son-in-law if the marriage goes through.*** It did. The Bellas are now his stepdaughters, Daniel Bryan's his stepson-in-law through his marriage to Brie. And keep in mind, Nikki Bella's been dating Wrestling/JohnCena for several years now...* YesMan: [[Wrestling/CMPunk a "glad-handing, nonsensical, douche-bag"]] one, at that.